The upcoming Gor Mahia elections are shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested in the club’s history, with tensions already rising between candidates. Club treasurer Dolfina Odhiambo has openly rejected Chairperson Ambrose Rachier’s proposed leadership model, accusing him of attempting to manipulate the club’s constitution for personal gain. With the elections set for April 13, the two candidates are at odds over governance issues, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a heated campaign.
Odhiambo Rejects Rachier’s Governance Proposal
Dolfina Odhiambo, who has declared her candidacy for the Gor Mahia chairmanship, has taken a firm stand against Rachier’s proposal for a joint Chair-Vice Chair ticket. She insists that this move contradicts the club’s constitution, which was passed in 2019, and should not be implemented without approval from members.
According to Odhiambo, any amendments to the club’s leadership structure must be made through a properly constituted Annual General Meeting (AGM), where members have the final say. She accused Rachier of attempting to bypass this process for personal political gains.
“I wish to remind Mr. Rachier that Gor Mahia’s constitution only allows for single-ticket leadership. Any changes must be made in a properly constituted AGM and approved by members. Mr. Rachier should not attempt to manipulate our laws to suit his personal ambitions,” she stated.
Odhiambo further distanced herself from a letter circulating online, which claimed she had attended Rachier’s press briefing. She dismissed the letter as a forgery, stating that the signature on it was not hers.
“I also saw some letters flying around with a strange signature claiming I attended meetings that I never did. If you check closely, that signature is not mine,” she clarified.
Why Odhiambo Wants to Lead Gor Mahia
Odhiambo’s decision to run for the club’s top seat is driven by her long-term vision for Gor Mahia. She believes that under her leadership, the club can achieve greater financial stability, transparency, and sustainable success.
“My leadership is not just about today—it is about securing a brighter, stronger, and more sustainable future for Gor Mahia. I am intentional about where I want this club to be in the next five, 10, or 20 years. My experience has prepared me for this role, and I understand the challenges we face. More importantly, I have the solutions. My leadership will be built on integrity, inclusivity, and results,” she said.
Odhiambo has been an integral part of the club’s leadership, overseeing financial matters during a period of economic challenges. She believes that the club needs to improve its financial management and explore new revenue streams to remain competitive both locally and internationally.
Gor Mahia treasurer Dolfina Odhiambo has announced her bid for the chairperson’s position at the club. Last month, the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) ordered Gor Mahia to conduct elections within 90 days. The tribunal termed the current Executive Committee’s tenure unlawful… pic.twitter.com/SwtAk8gYjh
— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) February 5, 2025
Concerns Over Election Process
In addition to governance issues, Odhiambo has also raised concerns about the credibility of the upcoming elections. She questioned the composition of the election committee, which will be chaired by Wahome Gichu, and criticized the lack of vetting for committee members.
According to Odhiambo, some individuals on the committee have previously held controversial roles in past elections, creating a conflict of interest. She suggested that the Sports Registrar should step in to ensure a fair and transparent election process.
“I would even prefer that the Sports Registrar appoints a committee for us because right now, we have candidates acting as both players and referees in this election. How is that supposed to work?” she asked.
Another major concern is the decision to hold the elections on the same day as the AGM. Odhiambo argued that this raises serious logistical and transparency issues, as members will have limited time to engage in discussions before voting takes place.
“These people should have been vetted at an AGM, but now they want to hold the elections on the same day. How is that even possible?” she questioned.
Rachier’s Leadership and His Re-Election Bid
Ambrose Rachier, who has been at the helm of Gor Mahia for 17 years, has defended his decision to seek re-election. He believes that his leadership has brought stability to the club and has enabled Gor Mahia to remain one of the most dominant teams in Kenyan football.
Rachier has played a key role in securing sponsorship deals, managing the club’s participation in continental tournaments, and ensuring that players’ salaries are paid on time despite financial struggles. However, his leadership has also faced criticism over governance issues, including accusations of lack of transparency in financial matters.
During his press conference, Rachier confirmed that he would be submitting his documents for re-election and urged members to support his vision for the club.
“I will be submitting my papers for re-election. I have all of them here—my KRA certificate, CRB, HELB Clearance, EACC, and DCI. All candidates must produce them,” he stated.
Membership Registration and Election Readiness
Ahead of the elections, Gor Mahia members have been encouraged to register in order to be eligible to vote. Odhiambo reminded fans that they must pay Ksh1,200 to the club’s account at the Bank of Africa or through the club’s pay bill number 350100 before the deadline on March 31.
She also issued a stern warning to individuals planning to attend the AGM without being duly registered members, stating that strict measures would be in place to prevent hooliganism.
“Please do not appear. We are going to issue cards to those who are duly registered. You will be required to show that card at the entrance in order to avoid hooliganism,” she warned.
What’s Next for Gor Mahia?
With the elections fast approaching, tensions within Gor Mahia’s leadership are expected to rise even further. The battle for the chairmanship is shaping up to be a contest between experience and change, with Rachier seeking to extend his reign while Odhiambo pushes for a fresh approach.
As the campaign intensifies, the club’s members will ultimately have the final say on who leads Gor Mahia into the future. With governance, financial transparency, and football development on the line, the outcome of the elections could have a lasting impact on the club’s direction in the coming years.
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